Bed attachment



July 1, 1952 L. w. ROESSLER BED ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1945 mm B 6 0% .3. 3 A. o I 7 Q I 8 I EU Li W) A a Wu M. 1 R M. I

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July 1, 1952 L. w. ROESSLER BED ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet .2

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BED ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 1, 1952 Filed May 5, 1945 3mm [00/] W 190511.51: QM Danni July 1,, 1952 L. w. ROESSLER BED ATTACHMENT Fild May 5, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 loll/j ROEIILER Q Patented July 1, 1952 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE BED ATTACHMENT Louis W. Roessler, Rochester, Minn.

Application May 5, 1945, Serial No. 592,224

9 Claims.

My invention relates to a bed attachment, and has more particular reference to an apparatus to be used on hospital beds to provide means whereby patients occupying the beds may raise themselves from the bed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an attachment which may be secured to the head end of the bed and which may extend over a portion of the bed to support a depending bar. This bar may be grasped by the patient occupying the bed and used to assist the patient in pulling himself upwardly. Such an apparatus is not only useful for its exercise value, but also greatly facilitates the operation of placing a bed pan under the patient.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a mounting frame which is adjustable to fit various beds. A pair of permanently mounted hooks extend over the upper edge of the bed to support the weight of the patient and the frame, and an adjustably mounted opposed hook is provided for engaging a lower cross member of the bed.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a mounting frame and suspension frame of some substantial width. By forming the mounting frame relatively wide it may be easily attached to the bed so that it can not swing or tilt when the weight of the patient is exerted thereupon. This feature is important, as the strain upon the suspension frame is not always equalized on both sides of the frame.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a mounting frame and suspension frame of substantial width designed for attachment to the end of a bed and in the provision of a bar suspended from two spaced points on this frame. By providing a mounting frame of substantial width a bar similar to a trapeze bar or rope swing may be suspended from two points of the suspension frame. This two point suspension prevents undue twisting of the suspended bar. This arrangement also tends to equalize the strain upon the frame.

This application is a continuation-impart of my previously filed application Serial No. 515,155, filed December 21, 1943, which has been abancloned.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bed i 2 equipped with an attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 3'3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section more clearly showing details of construction revealed in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the attachment showing the construction of the mounting frame, the suspension ffam'e being broken away.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a bed showing attached thereto a modified form of contruction.

Figure 7 is a tap plan view of a portion of the bed showing the attachment in place thereupon.

Figure 8 is a vertical section through the mounting frame showing the construction thereof.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mounting frame.

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view through a fragmentary portion of the mounting frame.

Referring in detail to Figures 1 through 5 of the drawings, the present device A is shown at tached to a hospital bed having a head member 5 and a foot member 6 connected by side rails I. A mattress 8 is placed on the bed, and the head member 5 includes a transverse, horizontal bar 9 disposed at an elevation above the icwer ends of the legs of said head member, as shown in Figure 3.

The present attachment includes a mounting frame Which is adjustable in length an 11 1 eludes slidably telescopes sections ill and II. The section l9 comprises spaced side rails I2 rigidly connected near their upper ends By a cross bar 13 disposed at the inner side of the frame. The frame section II also consists of spaced side rails l4 rigidly connected hear their upper ends by a cross bar I5 arranged at the outer side of the frame and near their lower ends by a cross bar l6 located at the inner side of the frame. The side rails M of the lower frame sec tion I: flatly engage the inner races r the side rails it. of the upper frame section 10-, and the rails I2 of section [0 carry belts H which project through longitudinally elongated slots la in the rails M of section II, Wing nuts l9 arethreaded on the bolts l1 and are adapted to be tightened to secure the frame s'ections I0 and H rela tively longitudinally adjusted pcsitieris. It will thus be seenthat the frame sections H] and II are slidably telescopes, and that the mounting frame composed of these sections is adjustable in length. The ends of the cross bar l3 carry inwardly projecting, downwardly facing hooks 20, while the cross bar |6 carries inwardly projecting, upwardly facing hooks 2| at its ends. Thus, by lengthening the mounting frame, the hooks 2|] may be disposed over the top of the head memleer of the bed and the hooks 2| may be disposed below the cross bar 9 of said head member, so that when the mounting frame is subsequently shortened, the hooks 20 and 2| will be brought into engagement, respectively, with the top of the head member 5 and with the cross bar 9 to rigidly secure the mounting frame upon the head member 5 upon tightening the nuts l9. Hooks 20 and 2| preferably have resilient or soft coverings The attachment B includes a U-shaped frame 3| having a transversely extending cross member 32 and a pair of upwardly projecting parallel side members 33. These side members 33 terminate in forwardly inclined parallel ends 35 which incline forwardly and upwardly when the attach ment is mounted on the head end of a bed.

A cross frame 35 is adjustably connected to the side members 33. This cross frame includes a bottom cross member 35 which is bent vertically at each end thereof to form vertically extending parallel side members 31. The side members 37 terminate in hook ends 39 designed to engage over the upper edge'of the head of a bed. A

22 to prevent marring of the parts of the head member 5 engaged thereby. Also, the cross bar I3 is preferably reinforced near its upper edge by means of a length of angle iron 23 extending from 'end to' end of the cross bar l3 and suitably secured to the latter directly above the hooks Zil.

Hinged to the upper'end of the mounting frame is a suspension frame 24 including spaced side rails 25 rigidly connected by a cross bar 25 and having their lower ends disposed against the outer sides of the rails l2 of the upper mounting frame section Ill. Bolts 21 pass through the adjacent ends of rails l2 and 25 and have wing nuts 28 threaded thereon to provide friction hinges between the mounting frame and the suspension frame. By loosening wing nuts 28, the suspension frame may be disposed in a vertical, out-of-the-Way position when the device is not in use, being secured in this position by tightening the nuts 28. However, the suspension frame will be swung inwardly at an angle to the mounting frame so as to extend across and slightly beyond the head member 5 of the bed when the device is required for use, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. At this time, the side rails 25 may rest upon the cross bar l3, and nuts 28 may be tightened. Suspended from the upper'or free ends-of the rails 25 of the suspension frame, by means of flexible members or ropes 29, is a horizontal bar 30. The ropes 29 are attached at corresponding ends'to the free ends of rails 25 and at their other ends to the ends of the horizontal bar 30. Thus, when the suspension frame 24 is operatively disposed at an angle to the mounting frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the bar 30 is suspended near the head end of the bed in position to be conveniently grasped by the patient lying in the bed. Accordingly, the patient may utilize this bar 3|] by pulling thereon, to aid such patient in raising himself for any reason desired, such as to facilitate placing of a bed pan under the patient.

It will be seen that the attachment is simple, durable, and compact, and'the device may be conveniently and expeditiously applied to a bed for use. The attachment furnishes a valuable aid to patients who find it difficult to raise themselves in a bed, and the construction provides for ready positioning of the suspension frame in an out-of-the-way vertical position when the device is not required for use.

In Figures 6 through 10 of the drawings I disclose a modified form of bed attachment indicated in general by the letter B. This attachment differs from the previously described attachment in that it is mainly formed of metal tubing, metal bars and the like. The general operation of the apparatus is very similar to the attachment A, which has been above described.

Second cross member 46, parallel to the lower cross member 36 connects the vertical frame members 37 at a point adjacent the hook ends.

Inclined brace bars 4| may connect the cross members 35 and 45 so as to brace the same.

As best illustrated in Figure 10 of the draw ings, a collar assembly 42 is attached to each end of th cross frame 35. The collar assembly 42 comprises a split collar includingsemi-cylindrical clamping portions 53 and 44 which may be clamped together by clamping bolts 55. The collar portions 43' are secured to the cross frame 35 by welding or any other suitable means.

Attached centrally to the cross frame, I provide a hollow box-like enclosure 46 best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. This enclosure includes a front wall 41, a parallel rear wall 49 and side walls 50. The enclosure is completed by a top 5| and a bottom 52. Slots 53 are provided in the front wall 41 through which the pivoted clamping arms 54 are designed to hold a vertically extending rod 55 in adjusted position relative to the frame 35.

The top 5| and the bottom 52 of the enclosure 46 are provided with aligned apertures 55 through which the rod 55 may extend. The clamping arms 54 are provided with transverse pivots 5'! at their innermost extremities, which are supported in inclined slots 59 and in the side walls 50 of the enclosure 46. The slot 59 extends in diverging relation to the slot 60 as will be noted from Figure 8 of the drawings. A spring 6| is positioned encircling the rod 55 between the clamping arms 54 normally urging these clamping arms apart.

When the'clamping arms 54 are pivoted together by squeezing the exposed ends of the arms together in a manner to compress the spring 6|, the apertures 62 in the arms 54 through which the rod 55 extends move into aligned relation, permitting the rod 55 to slide vertically relative to the enclosure 46. When squeezing pressure upon the arms 54 is released these arms are forced apart by the spring 6| and the apertures 62 bend against the rod 55 holding the rod locked relative to the enclosure.

A similar clamping apparatus is provided on the lower cross member 32 of the mounting frame 3|. The enclosure 63 is secured to the cross member 32 and includes a rear wall 64, a front wall 65, top and bottom Walls 66 and 6?, respectively, and side walls 69. Diverging slots and H are provided in the side walls 69 to receive the pivots 12 mounted upon one end of each of the clamping arms 13. The clamping arms 13 are normally held spaced by means of a spring 15 encircling the rod 55 between the arms 13.

The clamping arms 13 project from the enclosure so that the spaced ends may be grasped and squeezed together. Aligned apertures 75 are pr vlded 1n the'upper and lower ends 66 and 67 of the enclosure and apertures 16 are likewise provided in the arms T3 through which the rod 55 may extend. As the arms 13 swing apart they create a binding action against the rod 55 holding the rod from slidable movement. relative to the enclosure 63.

A similar clamping device is mounted upon the rod 55 beneath the enclosure 63. This last mentioned clamping device includes an enclosure 11 comprising a box-shaped body having apertures 19 in the upper and lower ends 86 and BI thereof. Clamping arms 82 ar provided with pivots 83 slidable in diverging slots 84 and 85 in the side walls 66 of the enclosure. A spring 81 encircles the rod 55 between the arms 82 to urge the arms 82 normally apart. Apertures 89 in the arms 82 bind against the rod 55 in normal spread position of the arms locking the rod 55 from movement relative to the enclosure H.

An inverted hook 99 is mounted upon the enclosure 11 so as to oppose the hooks 39 on the cross frame 35. The hook 90 is designed to engage beneath a lower cross member on the head of the bed and acts in combination with the hooks 39 to hold the frame in proper position upon the bed.

As best illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings, a U-shaped suspending frame 9| is supported by the upper included ends 34 of the U-shaped frame 3|. The suspending frame 9| includes a cross member 92 and parallel side members 93 connected thereto. The frame 9| is either formed of hollow tubing or is provided with hollow end sockets to receive the forwardly inclined frame ends 34. Thus in assembled position the suspending frame 9| extends forwardly and upwardly from the head of the bed so that the cross member 9| is positioned in spaced relation to the head end of the bed.

The bed illustrated may be of any suitable type, the one shown including a metal head member 94, a foot member 95 and connecting side rails 96 designed to support a spring and mattress such as 91. The head end 84 is provided with a pair of laterally extending cross members such as 99 in parallel horizontal relation. The hooks 39 hook over the upper of these transverse connecting members while the hook 90 is designed to hook beneath the lower of these cross members 99, as indicated in Figure 6.

As also illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings a pair of flexible straps or ropes I99 depend from opposite sides of the cross member 92 of the suspending frame 9]. These straps or ropes I00 support a transversely extending bar It! similar to the bar 30 previously described. The opera tion of the bed attachment B is similar to that previously described. The hooks 39 are hooked over the upper cross member 99 and the hook 90 is hooked beneath the lower cross member 99 of the head of the bed. In attaching the hooks it is necessary first to adjust the cross frame 35 at the proper point on the U-shaped mounting frame 3|, to properly adjust the height of the rod 55 relative to this mounting frame and then to adjust the hook 90 into engagement with the lowermost cross member 99.

When the mounting frame has been attached the suspension frame 9| may be attached to the upper end of the mounting frame by receiving the inclined frame ends 34 in the socketed ends of the frame 91. The cross bar IUI is then suspended above the patient, but within easy reach. By engaging the cross bar Hll the patient may raise himself up from the surface of the bed.

This action provides a means of allowing the patient to exercise and at the same time greatly facilitates certain necessary operations, such as the placing of a bed pan beneath the patient.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my bed attachment, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A bed attachment to aid a patient in raising himself while lying in bed, comprising a mounting frame adjustable in length and including telescopically associated upper and lower sections each including spaced side rails and a cross bar rigidly connecting said side rails, downwardly facing hooks carried by the cross bar of the upper section and engageable with the top of the head member of a bed, upwardly facing hooks carried by the cross bar of the lower section and engageable with a lower cross bar of the head member of the bed, a rectangular'suspension frame having spaced side rails adiustably hinged at corresponding ends to the upper ends of the side rails of the upper section of the mounting frame for vertical swinging movement and positionable to extend across the head member of the bed at an obtuse angle to the mounting frame, and a horizontal bar flexibly suspended from the free ends of the side rails of the suspension frame in position to be grasped by the patient occupying the bed.

2. A bed attachment to aid a patient in raising himself while lying in bed, comprising a mounting frame adjustable in length and including telescopically associated upper and lower sections each including spaced side rails and a cross bar rigidly connecting said side rails, downwardly facing hooks carried by the cross bar of the upper section and engageable with the top of the head member of a bed, upwardly facing hooks carried by the cross bar of the lower section and engageable with a lower cross bar of the head member of the bed, a rectangular suspension frame having spaced side rails adiustably hinged at corresponding ends to the upper ends of the side rails of the upper section of the mounting frame for vertical swinging movement and positionable to extend across the head member of the bed at an obtuse angle to the mounting frame, and a horizontal bar flexibly suspended from the free ends of the side rails of the suspension frame in position to be grasped by the patient occupying the bed, said suspension frame being positionable to rest upon the cross: bar of the upper section of the mounting frame when said suspension frame is disposed at said obtuse angle relative to the mounting frame.

3. A bed attachment comprising a frame, means on said frame engageable with the end of a bed to support said frame on said bed end, a pair of frame members pivotally secured to the upper end of said frame along a substantially horizontal pivot, means connecting the upper extremities of said frame members, and a flexible support depending from the upper extremity of each of said frame members and a cross bar connecting the lower ends of the flexible supports.

4. A bed attachment comprising a frame ineluding a pair of spaced side members connected together, a cross frame slidably supported on said'first named frame, a pair of downwardly facing hook means supported by said cross frame and designed'to engage over the end of a bed, a rod vertically adjustable relative to said frame and cross frame, and hook means supported by said rod engageable with the lower edge of the bed end. V

5. A bed attachment for use on a bed end, the attachment including a frame including spaced vertical members connected together, a cross frame adjustably secured to said first named frame, a rod adjustably supported by said frame and cross frame, a pair of spaced downwardly facing hook means on said cross frame designed to engage over an upper cross member of the bed end, an upwardly facing hook engageable with a lower cross member of the bed end, and a suspension frame supported by said first named frame and extending at an angle relative to the plane of said vertical members.

6. A bed attachment comprising a first frame including a pair of spaced side members connected together, a cross frame secured to said first frame, a pair of spaced downwardly facing hook means on said cross frame, a vertically extending rod adjustably supported by said frame and cross frame, an upwardly facing hook means supported by said rod means.

7. A bed attachment for use in combination with a bed end, the attachment comprising a first frame, a pair of spaced downwardly facing hook means supported by said first frame to engage over the head end of a bed, a rod adjustably supported by said first frame, hook means supported by said rod and designed to engage beneath a lower cross member of the bed end, and a U-shaped frame portion on said frame extending at an angle relative to the general plane of said first frame.'

8. A bed attachment including a frame, means on said frame engageable with a bed end to support said frame, a cross member on said frame near the upper extremity thereof, a pair of frame members pivotally secured to said frame along a substantially horizontal pivot and adapted to be forwardly and upwardly inclined, said frame members being engageable with said cross member in one extreme position, and adapted to be supported in forwardly and upwardly inclined position thereby.

9. A bed attachment including a frame, a pair of spaced hook means on said frame and engageable with the end of a bed to secure the frame in upright position to the bed end, a member relatively vertically slidable on said frame, hook means oppositely directed relative to said first named hook means on said member, means for clamping said member in adjusted position on said frame, said frame includingsa frame portion connected to the remainder of the frame and extending angularly with respect theretoto incline upwardly and forwardly therefrom when the frame is attached to the bed, said frame portion including a pair of generally parallel supports and a cross connecting member therebetween, a pair of spaced flexible members depending in spaced relation from the upper extremity of said frame portion, and a cross bar connecting said flexible members.

LOUIS W. ROESSLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 431,206 Gloy 'July 1, 1890 730,253 'Gorham June 9, 1903 826,978 whittington July 24, 1906 1,255,636 Rasch Feb. 5, 1918 1,840,170 Neils Jan. 5, 1932 1,984,821 Boruff Dec. 18, 1934 2,057,811 Armstrong Oct. 20, 1936 2,230,620 Leiter Feb. 4, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 374,598 Great Britain June 16, 1932 

